STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING, The council met on Wednesday. Present: Crs. J. Hathaway (chairman), E. Walter, L. J. Baskin, W. Worthington, J. Smith, T. Anderson, and Coleman. STRATFORD ROAD BRIDGE. The chairman stated that since the last meeting several councillors had visited the Stanley road bridge. Mr. Sharp, the resident engineer, was also present, and after inspection, a conference was held, at which Mr. Sharp stated he was satisfied with the bridge, excepting a buttress. Cr. Anderson was satisfied the complaint was very trivial. It was the finest bridge in the county. Cr. Walter said the council should be proud of the bridge. It was a credit to the engineer and the council. THE ELTIIAM CONFERENCE. Cr. Hathaway stated that at a conference of county councils' delegates at Eltliam, on Monday, the suggested abolition of toll gates, the condition of the Waingongoro bridge and the alteration of boundaries between Eltliam and Stratford Councils were discussed. Regarding the toll gates, he quoted figures showing the amount of motor vehicles going through the gates. The Waimate and Egmont Councils were desirous of having the gates removed. The Egmont County Council was paying £I3OO a year to keep up a portion of the road, a continuation of which went through counties with gates. The figures for the Waipuku toll gates from April 1 1010, to March 31, 1017, totalled £l">2-! ISs Sd. of which motor cars and cycle" (14.020) paid £1215 0s 3d, the Stratford percentage being 22'/, (less than r ouartcr) C 273 ISs, and other tells were in like proportion. The second veai sliow-s an average of £1 per day better than last year. Crs. Christoffel, Coleman and Walter all favored the retention of the gates. The latter stated (hat if it were not for I lie gates the cai'tincr over the Opiinakc-Kllbnm road' would have caused the road to have disappeared by 1 his time. He moved. ''That a deputation consisting of the chairman, Crs. ChristolTel and Anderson proceed to Wellington to oppose the abolition of toll gates."

This was seconded by Cr. Coleman, and carried. It was also resolved: "That the Taranaki member-. Mrssr- Wilkinson and Okey, be asked < /> assist the deputation in waiting cn the Minister. ! ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer, Mr. VT. J. Lopdell, reported as follows: North Riding.—Stanley. Cross and Croydon roads: 74 cubic yards of boulders have been crushed from stocks contract for patch metal. Slow progress is being made with the tar sealing on the Mountain road. The crushing of ?vfr. Ullenberg's stone has been completed. The water was again over the road at the Monmouth road. Arrangements have been made with the owner to bavc the stream cleaned out when weather permits. South Riding.—A conference with the Eltham county's engineer confirms my opinion that the Waiongongoro bridge on the Finnertv road requires renewing at an early date in ferro-concrete, also a culvert on the Cornwall road. East Riding.—Tenders were called for the cleaning out of the Douglas valley drain, none of which were accepted. West Riding.—Opunake No. 2: 540 cubic yards of stone has been crushed, and a distance of 38 chains re-metalled. The plant is now engaged crushing the Poto road stone, and patch metal for the Opunake road. Re the school track at Cardiff. I have inspected this track and find that the bank is 11 feet away from the road fence at the nearest point, with the exception of one place near the Cardiff road end, where a cut was put in to prevent stock from going along. I would recommend making a track on the bridge side of the original one, which would be safer and not so steep. This could be done in half a day by one man. Barclay road: Tenders were called for tlie formation of about 12 chains of this road, and the erection of a 30-ft span bridge in concrete; as there were no tenders for this wark I have let the formation privately, and put the bridge work in hand by day labor. Huiroa Riding—The bridge gang are engaged on the Waitara river suspension bridge. Mangaehu Riding—The Public Works Department having supplied the levels, etc., for the Kaitieke road deviation, this work will be put in hand immediately.

General. —Mr. C. Roberts, roller driver, has resigned his position as from Saturday last. I think we can carry on with the drivers we have for the present. I am in correspondence with engine drivers, and will report at a later date. Cr. Smith stated that he was sorry to say the roads in the West riding were not wearing well. Cr. Anderson protested against Cr. Smith making such a statement about the roads. AVords failed him to express his —well, he would not say anything." Cr. Smith: "I am prepared to stand by my statements." The engineer's report was adopted. GENERAL. Mr. Fraser. Victoria road, waited on the council, and requested that application be made to the Railway Department to attend la a culvert that had become blocked, and was thus diverting the water on to his property.—Department -in .tVttci to or the matte:.

On the motion of Cr. Christoffel it was decided that whore settlers are making a practice of keeping cattle on the road they should be prosecuted. The district resident engineer wrote for details of material purchased for the Ahuroa stream bridge, Stanley road. Cr. .Smith moved: "That the information be given." Seconded by Cr. Baskin. Cr. Walters moved: "That as it would only be possible to give a rough estimate of -cost, most of the material having been taken from stock on hand at different prices, this council considers it unnecessary to comply with the request, considering the bridge was under the resident engineer's supervision throughout the erection of same."—Seconded by Cr. Anderson. Mr. Smith: It looks as if the council is shirking or hiding something. Why riot place the report 011 the table. The amendment was carried, only Cr. Smith voting against. Hon. 0. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs, wrote re grant of burial plots free of charge to soldiers who die prior to their discharge.—The council has 110 jurisdiction. The State Advances Office notified that (lie balance of the Waihapa road loan of £9lO (£415) is still available, and requesting that the council uplift the amount without delay.—Decided not to lift the surplus. The Rotorua Chamber of Commerce forwarded a circular re utilisation of prison labor 011 the main arterial roads of (he Dominion.—Received.

The Kaponga Dairy Company requested permission to carry a 4-ineh pipe across the Opunake-Stratford road at Rowan.—Permission granted, provided the work is carried out to the satisfaction of the engineer. F. Keightley, Midhirst, requested royalty due for boulders taken from the Manganui stream. The engineer added a footnote that the amount taken from Mr. Baker's property up to July 17 had been paid to Baker at Cd per cubic yard. —Engineer's reply considered sufficient. •J. f!. Falder, Kahouri bridge, requested the council to sell him four yards of boulders.—Left in the hands of the engineer. ' C. Burton, Tututawa, requested permission to erect a small gig shed on the side of the Mangaehu road, opposite his house.—"Referred to Cr. Worthington and the engineer. On Cr. Smith's motion it was decided to have water tables cleared, holes filled, and other necessary work done on the Brooks' road, leading to Climie road. The council's overdraft wa9 stated to be £12,200 15s Sd.

JJEVUE Corsets. To introduce this line, we quote n special stocktaking price, 4/11. —Rawles and Rawles. d.e. I'tl'lAL Trimmed Felt Hats, 1 - smart and fresh, 4/11. Out on their own. —Rawles and Rawles